A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a suo motu case pertaining to the functioning of patwaris, kanungos and tehsildars.

“How are the ‘Patwarkhanas’ functioning when there is no estimation of land revenue,” remarked the CJP.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan questioned the transparency of the land records system.

The bench ruled that patwaris — a term used in Pakistan and India for a land record officer at sub-division or Tehsil level — will have no role in property deals in areas where the Punjab Land Revenue Act (LRA) is followed.

"Property transfer through verbal deals in urban areas will not be recognised [by law]," the court said today. "Properties will only be transferred through the Land Revenue Act."